Preparation of a mixed matrix thin film composite membrane of Poly (ether-6-block amide)/fumed nano-silica for CO2/N2 separation

In this work the preparation and characterization of organic–inorganic composite membranes of Poly (ether-blockamide) (PEBAX 1657) and silica nanoparticles coated on Poly (vinyl alcohol) ultrafiltration membrane were studied.Membranes where prepared via solution-casting and solvent evaporation method. The fabricated nanocompositemembranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns analyses. Successful nano-scale dispersion of coupled silica nanoparticles in Pebax matrix was confirmed by SEM.As corroborated by XRD analyses, the amorphous regions enhance significantly upon increasing the silica content. Gas transport properties of composite membranes where investigated via constant pressure/volume change method.The effect of different amounts of silica nanoparticles (0-10 wt. %) on the permeability of CO2, and N2 as well astheir related selectivities were studied at 3bar pressure and 30 oC. The results showed an increase in the permeability of CO2 and N2 gases and an increase in CO2/N2 selectivities by the increase in silica contents of the membranesamples. This behavior of hybrid membranes attributed a strong interaction between silica domains and polymer chains

Keywords:

Nanocomposite membrane , PEBAX , Silica nanoparticles , Permeation , CO2/N2 selectivity